Audi's Cylinder-on-Demand Technology for A1 and A3

Audi is now offering the A1 and A3 1.4 liter TFSI engine with Cylinder-on-Demand technology. The manufacturer is moving CoD technology from Audi S and RS models to bring 60 mpg economy potential to A1 and A3.

The 1.4 liter TFSI has 140HP (103 kW) at 5,000RPM And 250Nm (184 lb-ft) at just 1,500RPM. 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds for A1 with S-tronic and 8.3 seconds for A3 with 6-speed manual. The top speed is 212 km/h (132 mph) for all models.

All versions of the A1 and A1 Sportback are equipped initially with the 7-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission, and all versions of the A3 and A3 Sportback with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Both transmissions will however become available for all A1 and A3 CoD models later this year.

The bigger A3 has the same fuel economy as A1 three-door, but A3 Sportback needs 4.8 liters / 100 km with 112 g/km of CO2.

The Cylinder-on-Demand technology doesn't only operate according to set parameters. Using information from the throttle pedal sensors, it determines how the driver is driving, and if it detects an irregular pattern, for instance over a series of roundabouts or on a twisting A-road, it inhibits cylinder deactivation because here it would generally only be of short duration and wouldn't save any fuel. Two-cylinder operation is also disengaged if the driver brakes, enabling all four cylinders to support braking when coasting, and if the car is travelling downhill.